5 interesting facts about Manakamana

&nbsp 2017-09-25 | nepaltraveller.com

Some interesting facts you should know about this holy temple

The Manakamana Temple situated in the Gorkha district of Nepal is the sacred place of the Hindu Goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Parvati. To have your wish fulfilled is the greatest thing; that’s why, Nepalese visit this temple at least once in their lifetime.

Here are 5 interesting facts about the temple:

1. The name Manakamana originates from two words, “mana” meaning heart and “kamana” meaning wish. Revered since the 17th century, it is believed that Goddess Manakamana grants the wishes of all those who make the pilgrimage to her shrine to worship her.

2. In earlier times, the only way to reach the Manakamana temple was by a long strenuous trek for about three hours. But in 1998 a facility of a cable car was launched from Kurintar, which takes you up the hill in just 10 minutes.

3. The Shrine of Manakamana renovated many times over the centuries has four-story pagoda-style roofs with entrance from the South-West. The priest performs daily prayers and ritual in the temple behind closed doors by offering eggs, oranges, rice, red powder and strips of cloth to the deities. After the priest completes the puja, the temple is then open to the public.

4. The Manakamana temple is set in a square and looks across a massive sacred magnolia tree. The temple is four storied with tiered pagoda-style roofs and lies on a square pedestal.

5. There is a tradition of sacrificing animals at the temple. Some pilgrims sacrifice goats or pigeons in a pavilion behind the temple. However, recently the District Livestock Service Office, Gorkha has banned the Interesting of birds such as pigeons, roosters, and ducks to name a few.